In a letter sent to the producer of the show it said that evidence was manipulated or taken out of context, adding that it is possible that this was done by a third party looking to damage it and its partner News Corp.

"It has already become evident that you featured manipulated emails, while in addition completely mischaracterizing the substance and context of others. You have seriously misconstrued legitimate activities we undertake in the course of running an encryption business," said the letter that was signed by Abe Peled, executive chairman of NDS Group.

"You have used footage to falsely demonstrate your allegation that we sent certain emails externally to facilitate piracy when in fact the email was sent internally as part of our anti-piracy work. You have also taken emails wholly out of context. This has helped paint a picture for your viewers that is incorrect, misleading and deeply damaging to my company and our sister company News Corporation."

It has supplied some examples of where material might have been manipulated, including one email that it said was made to look like it was sent from one of its staffers, when actually it was only forwarded on.

"Despite your on air claims, this manipulated email is not evidence of NDS promoting or facilitating piracy. To the contrary, in its original form, this exchange is clear evidence of NDS's ongoing anti-piracy activities," it added.

"Furthermore, you displayed total flagrant disregard for the true context surrounding emails cited. For example, you purported that an email sent to Ray Adams was evidence of NDS's encouragement of piracy associated with the thoic.com website."

NDS said that email was sent from an "undercover agent at thoic to NDS, not from NDS to thoic".

"Thoic was a website on which any user could post information. The email, in its original form, cannot reasonably be interpreted as evidence of NDS's participation in or promotion of piracy," it added.

"Instead, it is further proof of NDS collecting information from thoic as part of its long-standing fight against piracy."